Martha Shoffner: Innocent Until Proven Guilty or Guilty Until Proven Innocent?

May 20, 2013 4 Comments
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A lot has happened since we broke the news Saturday night that State Treasurer Martha Shoffner had been arrested by the FBI (officially the biggest story in the history of The Arkansas Project, by the way, shattering the record that was set only a few weeks ago when we broke the news about constitutional carry).  At the time, it wasn’t clear why she had been placed in the Pulaski County jail. However, this lack of evidence did not stop two Arkansas political figures from simultaneously … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Arkansas Democrats, Arkansas Politics Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

On the Arkansas Times, Part III: Are Private-Option Advocates Really That Much Smarter Than We Are?

May 20, 2013 3 Comments
scary-giant-brain-alien

Upon rereading David Ramsey’s piece on the genesis of the “private option,” it’s hard not to notice the flood of admiring compliments he bestows on the intellect of its creators. They are “clever,” “smart,” “open-minded,” and “pragmatic.” As they work in tandem with Governor Mike Beebe, they are “thoughtful and nuanced.” In particular, Senator Jonathan Dismang’s “comfort with getting into the weeds on policy details” makes him “open to pragmatic … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2013 General Assembly, Arkansas Media, Medicaid, Obamacare Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Introducing, The Arkansas Project Podcast

May 17, 2013 Leave a Comment
TAP podcast phone

(Click here to listen on your mobile device) We are proud to present to you the inaugural episode of The Arkansas Project Podcast. We are hoping to produce one show a week to keep you up-to-date on what's going on at the capitol. In the near future, the show will be available for download in the iTunes store, but for now, you can enjoy it here on the blog. For your reading pleasure, here are the stories we mention in the show today: Carter quote on "private" option opponents IRS … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Podcast Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

State of the Race: Pryor vs. Arkansas 2014

May 16, 2013 1 Comment
Rumored potential Pryor challengers Cotton, Womack, Darr (left to right)

As you probably know, Senator Mark Pryor is up for re-election next year. So I asked Ward Baker, political director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), about the state of the race, potential GOP challengers, and much more. Despite some conventional wisdom within the state and amongst the DC establishment, Pryor is very vulnerable, according to Baker: He’s an incumbent that can raise money. I think he has a legacy name but that name apparently isn’t helping him very … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2014 U.S. Senate Race, Arkansas Politics, Election 2014, Gallery, Mark Pryor Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

On the Arkansas Times, Part I

May 13, 2013 2 Comments
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One of the legislature’s most praiseworthy achievements this session was passing a “voter ID” bill. If you read the unsigned article in this week’s Arkansas Times, though, you’ll see a very different perspective on voter ID. Indeed, the Times explained: Republicans say the new law will protect the integrity of our elections; some may believe that. But there's no evidence of substantial in-person voter fraud, the only kind prevented by the new law. There is plenty of evidence, however, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Arkansas Legislature, Arkansas Media, Elections, Voter ID Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Day of Reckoning in Saline County: Who Said It?

May 11, 2013 21 Comments
mystery legislator

Thursday night, the Saline County TEA Party hosted a town meeting so that their members could question the Saline County legislators who had supported the “private option.” About five state legislators representing Saline County attended; at least as many legislators from outside Saline County attended as well. Almost every public official who was there has been a friend of the Advance Arkansas Institute and, in some way, has fought for good-government reforms. But I have become … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2013 General Assembly, Arkansas Legislature, Gallery, Medicaid, Obamacare Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Rep. Bell: “Powder, Lead, Walnut, Brass & Steel”

May 7, 2013 2 Comments
constitution_gun

The following is a guest op-ed by State Representative Nate Bell, a second term legislator from Mena. It was a spring night in the quiet Birmingham, AL suburb of Pleasant Grove.  The year was 1981. I was about 12 years old.  It was one of those nights where the air was perfect and most everyone was sleeping with their windows open.  Pleasant Grove was one of those towns where everyone knew each other. Our neighborhood was quiet and peaceful. Our house had those old crank-out style casement … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Arkansas Legislature, Arkansas Republicans, Gun Rights Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Pryor: Liberal When No One’s Looking

April 11, 2013 1 Comment
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Earlier today, Senator Mark Pryor voted against cloture on a gun control bill in the Senate. That's wonderful, except he voted for the assault weapons ban in 2004 and previously supported the Brady Bill in 2002. Perhaps this new ad demonstrates Pryor's wobbly record better than anything I could say: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2014 U.S. Senate Race, Election 2014, Mark Pryor Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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